Lavandula plant named ‘RUYLAA1701’

ABSTRACT

‘RUYLAA1701’ is a new and distinctive variety of  Lavandula  which is characterized by a relatively compact growth habit, a broad obovate plant form, pubescent greyed-green foliage, an abundance of dark violet-blue labiate flowers borne on terminal spike inflorescences, and continuous flowering with no vernalization requirement. The new variety propagates successfully by stem cuttings and has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus andspecies of the novel variety disclosed herein is Lavandula angustifolia.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Lavandula disclosedherein has been given the variety denomination ‘RUYLAA1701’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: ‘RUYLAA1701’ is a seedling selection resulting from thecontrolled pollination of Lavandula angustifolia ‘Dwarf Blue’ (notpatented), the seed parent, with an unnamed Lavandula multifida plant(not patented), the pollen parent, at a commercial nursery inOudenaarde, Belgium, in July of 2014. ‘Dwarf Blue’ was selected as theseed parent due to its compact growth habit and dark purple flowers,while Lavandula multifida was selected as the pollen parent due to itsshort time to flower from cuttings and no vernalization requirement. Theobjective of the breeding program was to select a cultivar or cultivarswith a relatively compact growth habit, a short time to flower, and darkviolet-blue flowers. In May of 2015, one candidate plant was observed toexhibit this unique combination of traits and, in June of 2015, theinventor selected the new Lavandula cultivar ‘RUYLAA1701’ for commercialintroduction.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual reproduction of ‘RUYLAA1701’ was firstaccomplished in September of 2015 by rooting softwood stem cuttings at acommercial greenhouse in Heythuysen, Netherlands. Two successivegenerations have shown that the unique features of the instant cultivarare stable and reproduce true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘RUYLAA1701’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions and the phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in the instant environment such as temperature, day length,and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. Thefollowing traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thedistinguishing characteristics of the new Lavandula cultivar,‘RUYLAA1701’.

-   -   1. Lavandula ‘RUYLAA1701’ exhibits a relatively compact growth        habit and a broad obovate plant form; and    -   2. Lavandula ‘RUYLAA1701’ exhibits pubescent greyed-green        foliage; and    -   3. Lavandula ‘RUYLAA1701’ exhibits an abundance of dark        violet-blue labiate flowers borne on terminal spike        inflorescences; and    -   4. Lavandula ‘RUYLAA1701’ exhibits continuous flowering without        no vernalization requirement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make thesame in color illustrations of this type, an exemplary ‘RUYLAA1701’plant at approximately 6 month old, potted into a 13 cm nursery pot,grown in a greenhouse in Oudenaarde, Belgium.

FIG. 2 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make thesame in color illustrations of this type, the typical foliage of theplant in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make thesame in color illustrations of this type, the typical inflorescence ofthe plant in FIG. 1.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinctvariety of Lavandula known as ‘RUYLAA1701’, based upon observations of 6month old greenhouse-grown plants in 13 cm nursery containers, producedin Oudenaarde, Belgium. Plants were grown using conventional greenhouseproduction protocols for Lavandula plants which consisted of flood benchirrigation, as well as fertigation applications. No pest or diseasecontrol measures were utilized in production. Plants were produced withfull sun exposure and no photoperiodic treatments or artificial lightwas given to the plants. Observation data was recorded in June of 2017.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristicswill vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘RUYLAA1701’has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Wheredimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is tobe understood that such measurements are approximations or averages setforth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety maydiffer from the descriptions set forth herein with variations inenvironmental, climactic and cultural conditions. Color notations arebased on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, 2015 edition.

A botanical description of ‘RUYLAA1701’ and comparisons with the parentand most similar variety of common knowledge are provided below.

-   General plant description:    -   -   Growth habit.—A broad, spreading to upright perennial            subshrub.        -   Plant form.—Broad obovate.        -   Height.—13.7 cm to the top of the foliar plane; 19.2 cm to            the top of the floral plane.        -   Spread.—22.7 cm.        -   Plant vigor.—Low to moderate.        -   Growth rate.—Moderate.        -   Propagation.—Softwood stem cuttings; rooting is initiated in            approximately 14 days when grown in a greenhouse with an            ambient average temperature of 18 degrees Celsius.        -   Time to produce a finished plant.—Approximately 12 weeks are            required to produce a marketable finished plant in a 13 cm            pot.        -   Pest resistance and susceptibility.—Not any more or less            tolerant or susceptible to pests or diseases known to effect            Lavandula.        -   Environmental tolerances.—Adapt to, at least, USDA Zones 6            to 10 and temperatures ranging from at least minus 17            degrees Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius; moderate tolerance to            rain; high tolerance to wind.-   Root system: Dense fibrous root system; relatively shallow; color of    juvenile roots is nearest to yellow-white, RHS 158B; older roots are    greyed-orange, RHS 163C.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching habit.—Basally branching main stems; freely            branching with lateral branches. Stems and branches are            strongly aromatic, typical of Lavandula angustifolia.            Pinching isn't required but will improve branching.        -   Number of primary (main) stems per plant.—28.        -   Main stem length.—8.4 cm.        -   Main stem diameter.—0.2 cm.        -   Main stem internode length.—1.6 cm.        -   Number of secondary (lateral) branches per plant.—60.        -   Appearance and shape.—Quadrangular.        -   Aspect.—70 degrees from vertical, on average; varying            between 50 and 90 degrees.        -   Luster.—Matte, due to the dense woolly pubescence.        -   Strength.—Moderately strong.        -   Color, juvenile.—Yellow-green, nearest RHS 144B.        -   Color, mature.—Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS 145B            and 145C.        -   Color of oldest stems.—Grey-brown, nearest to RHS 199B.        -   Color at internodes.—Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS            145B and 145C.        -   Pubescence.—Tomentose; average length of hairs is 0.02 cm            and colored green-white; hairs are so minute that it is            impossible to accurately assign an R.H.S. color designation.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Attachment.—Sessile.        -   Division.—Simple.        -   Attitude.—Upward; apex occasionally curled upward or            downward.        -   Quantity.—Average of 12 leaves per lateral branch.        -   Fragrance.—Strongly aromatic, typical of Lavandula            angustifolia.        -   Lamina.—Dimensions — 3.5 cm long and 0.5 cm wide, on            average. Shape — Narrow oblanceolate. Aspect — Slightly            carinate; revolute. Apex — Obtuse. Base — Broad cuneate.            Margin — Entire; not undulated. Pubescence of adaxial            surface — Moderately woolly pubescent; average length of            hairs is 0.02 cm and colored green-white; hairs are so            minute that it is impossible to accurately assign an R.H.S.            color designation. Pubescence of abaxial surface —            Moderately woolly pubescent; average length of hairs is 0.02            cm and colored green-white; hairs are so minute that it is            impossible to accurately assign an R.H.S. color designation.            Luster of adaxial surface — Matte. Luster of abaxial surface            — Matte. Color — Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface — Green,            nearest to RHS 137B. Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface —            Green, nearest to RHS 137D. Mature foliage, adaxial surface            — Green, nearest to RHS NN137C. Mature foliage, abaxial            surface — Green, nearest to in between RHS 137B and 137C.            Venation — Pattern — Pinnate. Venation color, adaxial            surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146A. Venation color,            abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 147A, and            margined green, nearest to RHS 143C.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Type.—Terminal spike.        -   Natural flowering season.—Late spring through late summer in            Oudenaarde, Belgium.        -   Time to flower.—Approximately 13 weeks.        -   Dimensions.—3.9 cm high, not including peduncle, and 1.9 cm            in diameter.        -   Abundance of inflorescence.—Very abundant.        -   Quantity of open flowers and buds per inflorescence.—110            flowers.        -   Quantity of open flowers per plant.—Approximately 320.        -   Quantity of buds per plants.—Approximately 4,000.        -   Attitude.—Upright.        -   Peduncles.—Length — Average of 8.0 cm. Diameter — Average of            0.2 cm. Attitude — Upright. Strength — Strong. Texture —            Moderately woolly pubescent; average length of hairs is 0.02            cm and colored green-white; hairs are so minute that it is            impossible to accurately assign an R.H.S. color designation.            Luster — Matte. Color — Green, RHS 138B.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Shape.—Narrow ovate.        -   Length.—Average of 0.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—Average of 0.3 cm.        -   Texture.—Densely woolly pubescent; average length of hairs            is 0.05 cm and colored violet, nearest to RHS 86A.        -   Luster.—Matte.        -   Color.—Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 147A, with pubescence            removed; apex is violet-blue, RHS 93B.-   Flower:    -   -   Flowering habit.—Moderately freely flowering.        -   Form.—Salverform; petals fused into one upper lip which is            split into two identical petal lobes, and one lower lip            which is split into three identical petal lobes.        -   Flower vertical height.—0.8 cm.        -   Flower diameter.—0.75 cm.        -   Flower length.—1.0 cm.        -   Floral throat diameter.—0.2 cm.        -   Floral throat texture.—Glabrous; smooth.        -   Diameter of floral tube.—0.2 cm.        -   Length of floral tube.—0.7 cm.        -   Floral tube texture.—Outer side is moderately pubescent with            a very short tomentose pubescence; average length of hairs            is approximately 0.02 cm and colored white; hairs are so            minute that it is impossible to accurately assign an R.H.S.            color designation.        -   Aspect.—Flowers are outward facing.        -   Fragrance.—Non-fragrant.        -   Lastingness.—Approximately 4 weeks.        -   Persistent.—Self-cleaning.        -   Pedicels.—Dimensions — 0.175 cm long and 0.075 cm in            diameter. Aspect — Upward; approximately 50 degrees to the            peduncle axis. Strength — Moderately strong. Texture —            Moderately woolly pubescent; average length of hairs is 0.02            cm and colored green-white; hairs are so minute that it is            impossible to accurately assign an R.H.S. color designation.            Luster — Matte. Color — Yellow-green, RHS 147A.        -   Petals.—Quantity of Petals — 2. Arrangement — Labiate; one            upper lip and one lower lip which are fused at the proximal            half of the petals. Shape of petal lobes — Upper and lower            petal lobes are spatulate. Dimensions, free portion of the            upper petal — 1.1 cm long and 0.45 cm wide. Dimensions, free            portion of the lower petal — 0.95 cm long and 0.2 cm wide.            Apex — Both the upper and lower petal lobes are obtuse. Base            — Fused into a tube. Margin — All petal lobs with entire            margins which are slightly undulated. Aspect — Slightly            curled upward at the apex of the lobes. Texture and luster            of upper surface — Velvety; matte. Texture and luster of            lower surface — Moderately velvety; matte. Petal color when            opening, upper surface — Violet-blue, nearest to in between            RHS N89D and 93B. Petal color when opening, lower surface —            Violet-blue, nearest to RHS N89D. Petal color when fully            opened, upper surface — Violet-blue, nearest to RHS 92A.            Petal color when fully opened, lower surface — Violet-blue,            nearest to RHS 90D. Petal venation — No venation is visible.            Floral throat color — Violet-blue, nearest to RHS 91C.            Floral throat venation color — No venation is visible.            Corolla tube color, when fully opened — Violet, RHS N88D,            and fading white towards the base, RHS NN155D. Floral tube            venation color — No venation is visible.        -   Calyx.—Shape — Campanulate. Length — 0.5 cm. Diameter —            0.075 cm. Sepals — Length — 1.1 cm. Width — 0.6 cm, but            folded so appears narrower. Arrangement — Fused into a            campanulate shape. Quantity — 5. Shape — Linear; fused into            a campanulate shape. Apex — Obtuse. Base — Fused; only the            distal 5 percent is free. Sepal lobe margin — Entire; not            undulated. Texture and luster, upper surface — Glabrous,            smooth; matte. Texture and luster, lower surface — Densely            woolly pubescent; average length of hairs is 0.05 cm and            colored violet, nearest to RHS 86A; matte. Color when            opening, upper surface — Green, RHS 143C. Color when            opening, lower surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 147A            with pubescence removed. Color when fully opened, upper            surface — Green, RHS 143C. Color when fully opened, lower            surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 147B with pubescence            removed.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Quantity — 4. Anthers — Attachment — Dorsifixed.            Shape — Short kidney-shaped. Dimensions — Approximately 0.05            cm long and 0.05 cm wide. Color — Brown, nearest to RHS            200A. Filaments — Length — 0.15 cm, on average. Color —            White, nearest to RHS NN155D. Pollen, amount — Moderately            abundant. Pollen color — Yellow-orange, nearest to RHS 17B.        -   Pistil.—Quantity — 1. Length — 0.5 cm. Style — Length —            0.425 cm. Color — Green-white, nearest to RHS 157D. Stigma —            Shape — Club-shaped. Length — 0.075 cm. Diameter — 0.05 cm.            Color — Greyed-green, nearest to RHS 195A. Ovary Color —            Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 147A.-   Seed and fruit: No fruit or seeds have been detected to date.

COMPARISONS WITH THE PARENT PLANTS AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETY OF COMMONKNOWLEDGE

Plants of the new cultivar ‘RUYLAA1701’ differ from its seed parent,Lavandula angustifolia ‘Dwarf Blue’ (not patented), by thecharacteristics described in Chart 1.

CHART 1 Characteristic ‘RUYLAA1701’ ‘Dwarf Blue’ Winter hardiness. Notwinter hardy. Winter hardy. Growth habit. More compact than Less compactthan ‘Dwarf Blue’. ‘RUYLAA1701’. Vernalization No vernalizationVernalization requirement. requirement. required.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘RUYLAA1701’ differ from its pollen parent,an unnamed Lavandula multifida plant (not patented), by thecharacteristics described in Chart 2.

CHART 2 Characteristic ‘RUYLAA1701’ The pollen parent. Leaf shape.Narrow oblanceolate; Double pinnate; deeply unlobed. lobed.Inflorescence. Unbranched. Branched. Habit. Perennial. Short-lived;often an annual or biannual.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘RUYLAA1701’ may be distinguished from itsmost similar known commercial comparator, Lavandula pendunculata‘IBPRU41016’ (not patented in the United States; QZ application number2017/0621), by the characteristics described in Chart 3.

CHART 3 Characteristic ‘RUYLAA1701’ ‘IBPRU41016’ Abundance of foliage.Less abundant. More abundant. General coloration of Greyed-green. Green.the foliage. Flower size. Smaller than Larger than ‘IBPRU41016’.‘RUYLAA1701’. General coloration of Violet-blue, closer Violet, closerto the flower. to blue. purple.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Lavandulaangustifolia plant named ‘RUYLAA1701’, substantially as described andillustrated herein.